US sanctions hit Russian satellite

By Chris Forrester

Russia’s Gazprom Space Systems is having problems with its Yamal-601 satellite because of US sanctions.

Yamal-601 is being built by Thales Alenia Space, and is based on their Spacecom 4000-C4 platform. The satellite was planned to be launched early in 2016. That date will slip because of the US sanctions on certain key components being used in the satellite.

Yamal-601 is planned to carry 18 C-band transponders, 19 Ku-band transponders and 26 Ka-band transponders focusing on Russia. It will weigh more than five metric tons at launch, with 11 kW of payload power and a design life exceeding 15 years. It will replace the Yamal-202 satellite, offering extended coverage of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, south and southeast Asia, from its orbital position at 49° East.